EPA Eastside College Prep Wins Girls D5 State Title

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Zion Gabriel had 16 points, four rebounds, and three steals to help Eastside College Prep of East Palo Alto beat Village Christian 57-50 for the CIF Girls' Division 5 state title Thursday.

Alaya Bell added 16 points and seven rebounds and Kayla Tahaafe finished with 15 points and seven rebounds for the Eastside College Prep Panthers (20-11), who took their first-ever state championship.

Mercy Odima had 15 points and 19 rebounds, Leslie Aguilar added 15 points and six rebounds and Micaela Cacho-Negrete finished with 12 points and seven rebounds for the Village Christian Crusaders (26-9).

Down by as many as 13 points in the first half, Eastside Prep charged back to take 45-44 lead on a basket from Bell at the 5:52 mark of the fourth quarter.

The Panthers never trailed again and closed the game out on a 12-6 run to claim the title.